Swivel ball antenna support



y 17, 1949. T. R. FINKE Em 2,470,693

SWIVEL BALL ANTENNA SUPPORT Filed May 14, 1947 64 INVENTOR.

v lzw/s A4 fi/weaum/lk 68 Maw H TTOR/VE rs Patented May 17, 1949 UNITEDSTATES ATENT OFFICE and Lewis H. Finneburgh, In,

Cleveland Heights, Ohio, assignors to The Gabriel Company, Cleveland,Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application May 14, 1947, Serial No. 748,048

7 Claims.

This invention pertains to radio antennae for automotive vehicles andthe like and, more particularly, to a radio antenna and supporting basehaving an angularly adjustable connection therebetween.

An object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved radioantenna support adapted to be mounted at desired positions on the bodyof an automotive vehicle or the like and allow angular adjustment ortilting of the radio antenna relative thereto, which is attractive inappearance, has a minimum number of parts or members, may bemanufactured in a minimum physical size, is self-centering in a mountingopening of the vehicle body, is easily and quickly assembled, and afterassembly may be tightened to any desired adjusted angular or tiltedposition by access to only one side of the mounting, and when oncetightened will remain adjusted, shakeprcof, and r-attleproof under eventhe most severe operating conditions.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a new and improvedantenna support having members adapted to be positioned on each side ofthe panel of an automotive vehicle or the like for forming a relativelyfixed base and a member connected to the antenna extending through thebase angularly adjustable relative thereto, the member extending throughthe base having means for both clamping the base forming members againstthe body panel and fixing its position at any desired angular positionrelative thereto whereby the antenna support may be comprised of aminimum number of individual parts.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a new and improvedantenna support including an insulating half ball member and aconducting half ball member adapted to be positioned in opposedrelationship on the outer and inner sides respectively on the panel ofan automotive vehicle to form a ball type base for positioning anantenna at a desired angle relative to the panel, the insulating ballmember providing an insulated support for the antenna relative to thebody panel and the conducting ball member providing a grounding meansfor a shield on a lead-in cable for the antenna.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a new and improvedantenna support having inner and outer members adapted to be positionedon the inner and outer sides respectively of the panel of an automotivevehicle or the like for forming a relatively fixed base and an assemblyconnected to the antenna and extending through the base, the assemblyhaving threaded means at each end for engaging with the inner and outerbase forming members, which threaded means both fix the angular positionof the assembly relative to the base and clamp the base forming membersinto relatively fixed position, the threaded means at the outer end ofthe assembly being tightened down last whereby the final assemblyoperation and angular position of the antenna may be effected from oneside of the vehicle panel only.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision of a new andimproved antenna support having inner and outer half ball membersadapted to be positioned on the inner and outer sides respectively of apanel of an automotive vehicle or the like, which half ball membershave, on their chordal surfaces, bosses and mating recesses and, ontheir spherical surface, slots tapering inwardly to a. circular centralopening, the bosses and recesses positioning the ball members, whenassembled, relative to a mounting opening in the body panel anddiametrically aligning the slots.

The invention resides in certain constructions and combinations andarrangements of parts, and further objects and advantages will beapparent to those skilled in the art to which it relates from thefollowing description of the preferred embodiment described withreference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of thisspecification, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a side sectional view of an antenna and support embodying thepresent invention;

Fig. 2 is an exploded elevational view showing in greater detail some ofthe members in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the antenna in an adjustedangular position relative to the support.

Referring to the drawings, the invention is shown as embodied in a radioantenna A of the so-called whip type mounted at its lower end on asupporting base B, in turn mounted or suitably positioned on the slopingpanel C of an automotive vehicle body or the like.

The panel 0 shown may be any portion of an automotive vehicle body orthe like, whether sloping, vertical, or horizontal, or at the front orrear thereof, and is preferably perforated or drilled to provide asuitable opening it for passage of a lead-in connection from the antennaA on the exterior of the panel to the interior thereof, as well as apassage for clamping means to fasten the base B onto the panel.

As shown, the base B is generally ball or spherical shaped and comprisesa pair of half ball members, an inner or lower half ball member II andan outer or upper half ball member I2, positioned in alignedrelationship on opposite sides of the body panel C concentric with theopening I0. As shown, the inner or lower half ball member I I has a maingenerally hemispherical outer surface .I3,.and a chordal surfacecomprising-an upwardly extending boss I4 and an inwardly or downwardlyextending recess I5. Similarly,:.theupper or outer half ball member I2has a main generally hemispherical outer-surface I7 and a chordalsurface comprising ardewmvardly extending boss I8 and an upwardlyextending recess I9, which bosses and which recesses. are of similardimensions such that they -will mate when the ball members are assembledon the. panel C. and are preferably, although not necessarily,semicylindrical in shape having a radius somewhat less than the radiusofthe ball members and centrally positioned,.thus-leavmgcontinuousring-,like flat-surfaces 20, 2I aroundthe'peri'met'ers of .thehalf ballmembers II, I2,:respectively, which If r desired, a sealing washer 22positioned between. the ring-like -flat-surface 2! on the halfballmemberI2 andthe body; panel 0. As shown, the-washer -has.-an.-upwardly ex-.tending flange 23 onits .outer edge which-fits into a correspondinggroove 1 in the perimeter I of the half ball-membera I 2.

Each -ball-- member II, I2. is; provided with aligned openings'2 5,-26,respectively, whichopenings. as shown taper from a-slot onthe surface ofthe ball membersto a. generally central aligned opening onthe interiorofr-the-assembled ball or base B. These openings provide awpassage forclamping means to fixedly position- ,the'half .ballmembers relativeto,.the,body;.panel C as well as to providea.-.passage.fora-lead-in;.con- -nection from theantenna. A.

The antenna maytakeuanyone: ofa number of different forms -andmaybeformed of metal or plastic. As shown,- howeventhe antenna comprises alower rodlike,member .28- preferably. of

tubular construction-tandcan upperrodlike mem- .-ber 29 also:preferably; of=tubular construction of a smallerdiameter thanandtelescopically arranged with the lower member. The lower end ofthe-lower. member 2,8 is providedwitha stud bolt 3 I which as shownextends generally'through the entire length of theialignedopenings; inthe half ball members, .The stud bolt maybe-fixed to the antenna in anysuitableqmannenbut in the embodiment-shown the upper end'thereof.

extends into and fits snugly-with the interior of I the lower end of thelower tube 28. This end-has one or a plurality of-spacedcircumferentially extending grooves 32 in. its surfaceinto-whichiadjacent portions of thewall ofvthe-lower tuber28 have beenspun or pressed as at 34, thus providing a firm and indestructibleconnection between the antenna A and the bolt 3|. .Intermediatewthegrooves 32, the bolt may be: knurled-as at 36-on its outer surface,which knurls-when-thezbolt. is

, inserted into the interior of thelower member 28 upon assemblytend,tobite through-q-any film,

,. rust;v or scale on the .interiorithereof-wand' provide a noiselesselectrical: connection; betweenrthean- :tenna and:the bolt, as: well aspreventingrotation of the bolt 3| relative to the lower member 28 whenthe antenna mounting is installed.

As shown, the bolt 3| extends downwardly through the aligned openings inthe half ball members I I, I2 and an elongated captive sleeve nut 38having its upper end counterbored to provide clearance forthe'lowerendofthe antenfor clamping the half ball members II I2 in engagement :withthe sides of the body panel C as well as clamping the antenna in adesired angular position, and the clamping force thereof is transmittedto the spherical surface I! of the mupper=half ball member I2 through acircular Washer 42 having a..concave lower surface and athin cup shaped-or concave.washer;43 having its opening eccentrically positionedrelativeto the -edgesthereof. --.-;As.;shown,.the washers-.=42,-.-. l3are slippedover the -boss..39 withtheuppersurface of the washer 42 inabutting engagement with. the lower surface of ..theflange/.40.. It ispreferred that aszthe sleeveinut-38 is.-.tightened "down that theconcaveqwasher 43 engages. the

surface I! ofthe upper ,ballme-mber I2 principally atits outer edges,and for this. reason .thecurvature thereof may'be slightlyless than thecurvatureof the surface I'I-and, if desired,- theedges thereof maybecurved inwardly, at anevenishorter radius of curvature as shown at 45.

' For insulating-zthe. antenna -A fromcthetbody panel C, either thesleeve'nut-33 or the-half .ball

-member I2 or both may. be formed of:insulating material,- althoughirrtheembodiment shown. .the

-sleevenut is representedcas being formed of a metallic material whilethe upper half ball-:mem-

ber I2. is representedasi-being of a non-.metallic insulatingmaterial.

-The bolt'3I provides alead-in conductonfor the antenna, as well as aclamping oritief-loolt Y for-firmly securing the half ball-members! .II,-. I2 in-fixed assembled relationshiptothe-body panel C.- It ispreferred thatthelower half balhmember be of an electricallyconducting:material,.-for 1 reasons which will appear a-hereinafter-,andaccordinglymeans arerprovicled-for insulatinglthe lowerend ofthe-bolt 3I :from the-conducting-half -balla-member II. -.-In;,the;embodimentshown, a grounding sleever48 .is positioned concentricallyaroundthe lower end of-thebolt 3,-I andrinsulated therefrom by aninnerinsulatingsleeve .49: in turn .supported on ,thewbolt 3| by aninner threaded metallic -sleeve. 50. .Thesleeve. W is 'threadablyengaged on:the bolt- 3|:andhas: on itSQlOWGIMBDd a short outwardlyextending flan e 5| in abutting engagement with.- the lower end: of theinsulating '-.sleeve 49. The groundingssleeve, at its :uppen-end .has ashort inwardly extendinglflange 53 abutting against the opposite: or.upper .end' of the-insulating sleeve-Manda at its lower :endisexterna-lly threaded and extendsrbelow onbeyond the spherzical surfaceI 3 of v the lower-halfball member. I I. Preferably theexternal diameterof the. grounding sleeve 48 as wel-l asthe; diameter ofwthe. boss 39 ofthesleeve nut. 38 arethersame andapproximately .equal to the .Wldth: ofthegslotsiin thezhalf ball: members psuchrithatitherantenna; .Awwillzbetiltable-with' respect. :tmthe; ball :members: in only a single; :plane;which 5.:plane .:;may .be .rotated .'-throughc36.0?;by;rotatingethesibase =B "118181171376. to

/ thebody-panelC.

While a nut threaded on the lower end of the grounding sleeve it and aneccentric concave washer similar to the concave eccentric washer 53 maybe provided for engaging the spherical surface it of the lower ballmember ll and holding the base B in assembled relationship, it ispreferred for reasons of simplicity in structure and otherwise toutilize means on a lead-in cable connector assembly D for this purpose.The lead-in cable connector assembly D comprises a nut 55 shownthreadably engaged with the threads of the grounding sleeve 48 and a cupshaped or concave washer 56, the inner surface of which bears againstthe spherical surface l3 of the lower ball member ii. The upper end ofthe nut 55 has a thin cylindrical extension 59 arou' which the openingof the washer 5% is flttec, .l the extension then flared outwardly toretain the washer 5t and the nut 55 in assembled relationship. As shown,the portion of the washer 55 defining the opening is offset to receivethe flared end of the extension 59 and prevent interference with thespherical surface of the lower ball member H. An internallytoothed lockwasher bl may be positioned intermediate upper end of the nut 55 and thelower surface of the washer ofiset. The lower end of the nut 55 has aradially inwardly exten ing flange t2 defining an opening of reduceddianeter through which a short grounding sleeve extends having anoutwardly flaring flange 64 at Les upper end which abuts against theflange $2 of the nut for retaining same in assembled reiationship. Thegrounding sleeve 63 receives a lead-in cable bl comprising an innerradio-frequency conductor fiti, an insulating sleeve 69, and a braidedouter shield covering 19. The shield Ill preferably soldered to thegrounding tube 63 for roviding a physically strong and low resistanceelectrical connection. The insulating sleeve dd preferably extendsbeyond the upper end of the grounding tube 63, and a female sleeveconnector E2 of thin flexible material is positioned in the end thereofand suitably connected as by soldering to the radio-frequency conductor68.

he female connector i2 is preferably slightly resilient and has internaldiameter such as to receive and form an electrical connection with a dogM on the lower end of the bolt 3|. The grounding tube 63 as shown hasbeen spun or necked inwardly as at 73 to firmly position the insulatingsleeve E59 and the female sleeve connector l2 relative thereto. Thisconstruction is shown and described in the application for patof MiltonR. Friedberg and Theodore R. Finite, entitled Grooved connector, SerialNo. 657,488 filed March 2'7, 19%.

As hereinbefore stated, the lower half ball member H is preferablyformed of an electrical conducting material for the purpose of providinga ground to the body panel C for the lead-in cable connector assembly1), the connection to the body panel C being formed from the braidedshield it through the shielding tube 63, the nut 55, the concavewasher58, and the lower half ball member ii. If desired, suitable means may beprovided on the flat ringlike chordal surfaces 26 of the lower ballmember to insure that when the entire antenna assembly is tightened intofinal adjusted position, the means will bite through any rust, paint, orother films on the lower surface of the body panel C and provide a goodelectrical connection.

To install the preferred embodiment of the invention just described onthe body panel of an automotive vehicle, the hole ll! of appropriatesize is first drilled or otherwise perforated therethrough. The lowerand upper ball members ll, 12, respectively, are then positioned onopposite sides of the body panel with the bosses thereof extendingthrough the opening l0 into the mating recesses. The sleeve nut 38 isthreaded upwardly on the bolt 3! as far as possible, and the sleeve 50,the insulating sleeve 49, and. the grounding sleeve 48 are thenassembled on the bolt 3| as shown, and the entire assembly is insertedthrough the aligned openings in the half ball members, at this time itbeing necessary to manually or otherwise hold the ball members inposition. The nut 55 of the lead-in cable conhector assembly D is thenthreaded onto the lower end of the grounding sleeve 13 and threadedupwardly as far as possible, bringing the lower end of the groundingsleeve 58 into engagement with the flange 5 on the grounding tube 63 andforcing the flange 6d to firmly bear against the flange G2 on the nut5-5. With the lead-in cable connector assembly D in position, it isstill possible to tilt the antenna relative to the half ball members orto rotate the ball members relative to the body panel C, which is thendone so as to position the antenna A at the exact angular positiondesired for the final installation. The eccentric concave washer 63 isthen turned to cover the slot opening 26 in the upper half ball memberI2. For retaining the antenna in the adjusted position, the sleeve nut38 is rotated downwardly on the bolt 3!, thus drawing the concavewash-er 56 upwardly and forcing the concave washer 63 downwardly intofirm engagement with the respective spherical surfaces of the half ballmembers, firmly clamping the half ball members into engagement with thebody panel C and at the same time fixing the angular position of theantenna relative to the ball members and to the automotive vehicle orthe like on which the antenna is being mounted. At the same time, theteeth of the lock washer 6| are forced into firm biting engagement withthe offset 58 of the concave washer 56 anclinto the upper end of the nut55. It will be seen that the flnal tightening operation may be effectedwithout access to the lower side of the body panel C, thus facilitatingand enabling the installation by one man.

Thus it will be seen that an embodiment of the invention has beendescribed which accomplishes the objects hereinbefore enumerated andothers wherein a minimum number of supporting members provide a dualfunction of electrical insulation as well as adjustable physical supportand which provides a mounting wherein the final adjustments may beeffected from one side only.

Although in accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes thisinvention is described as embodied in concrete form and the principlethereof has been described together with the best mode in which it isnow contemplated applying that principle, it will be understood that theapparatus shown and described is merely illustrative and that theinvention is not limited thereto, since alterations and modificationswill readily suggest themselves to persons skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the true spirit of this invention or from the scope ofthe annexed claims.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. In an antenna support, a pair of half ball members having generallysemispherical surfaces and generally chordal mating surfaces, said mat-;,suing:surfacesr comprising aegenerally circularzouter 'I'LGhOIdfll.surface: and bosses: and :mating :recesses :spaced: iflOl'Df.the-perimeter. of said. chordalysur- :ifaces; said-half;.ba'llzxmembers'zadapted. to: be .positlztionedon'the panel ofangautomotivevehiclea with;

-asaidbosses:extending'rthroug hianizopening.thereof e ior spesitioningthe qassembledyball relative; there- :1 e to;-;one ,ofsaid' ball.memberszcomprised atuleast in part-:of an electrically-:insulating'materialszand rrrpartefnian electrically conductingrrnaterial.

zgzlmamzantennamounting, a base comprising .u: oo.operating..:halfball:- me'mbers aadapted to: be empusitionechorr the'oppositesides; of apanel oir an --.;automotive vehicle to: form a: substantially: ball- 7member:.-and adapted to cooperatenwith: the .half 1 ball-.membenof the.base .on .one side of the panel, threaded sleeve spaced fromnandsurrounding said supporting member-sand; extending. into .said baseland-adapted to act'as a grounding sleeve,

'.a..means wadjustably l and :insulatingly :rconnecting .-said=sleeveandsupporting memb.er,:and a. threadled member :on saidisleeve.andadapted to, cooperwatewith-the .halflball member OfJthE'baSBiODZthG.other side ofxthepanel.

3. An.: antennaamounting as. defined in c'laim 2 wand 'whereincthe meansfor .adjustablyand insulatingly connecting said. :sleeve. and ,saidsupportingmember includes: an internally. threaded tsleeveumounted .onsaid supportingmember and r providediwith an outwardly extending flange.atv

/ wone- :end thereof, an insulating, bushing amounted onthe exterior ofsaid interiorly threaded sleeve :an dhaving one of'its' endscontactingsaidifiange, zrsaid previously named-threaded sleeve-beingpro- .vided with a flange :contacting .the;5other .end. of

lsaidiinsulating bushing +1 4. Ari-antenna mounting. as defined in claim2 ;-.;:and wherein the ahalf .=ba1l .member' on' one side li ofs-athe.'.panel is. formedof .insu1ating..:material while the half ball memberon theiothersideofq lithe: panel is ziormedof electrical conductive ma-:t-r rial.

5; In;ansantennasupport, aapair of halfball -.-;;-members- :havinggenerally. semi-spherical sureiaces .uand' ygienerally chordal matingsurfaces,

:; zsaidqmating surfaces: ton :each member compris- 1: ing. a;generally: circular 101113615 chordal 7 surface .anda semi-rcircularbossand a recess-spaced fliOmIiiihe perimeter of. said-outer-chordalasurfa,ce,- said half shall. members .-adapted to bespor-sitioned onrthepanel ofan automotive-vehicle 1:with;said .rbosses. extending throughan.-op ening .--,in .-sa-id: pane1- andtinto said-recesses. forapositioninl the: assembled-ball relative-to. the @panel,

said -half= ball. members.each being'providedwith V :a passagesextending.therethrough. ,and; ..con .evergently tapering from itssemi=sphericahsur- .face' to. its: 1 matin surface. .thewsaid 1 passages......thr.ough the said half ball members aligning with -..leach..otherat the .saidimating surfaces..of..the-

said half ball members, antenna supporting he-zother. of :said ball members. comprised atzleast...

8 :zxmeansxextending throughs'saidi.1.passages,. and .-means :.:-onzx-said antenna supporting: means iandcooperating:with-.the:semiespheritzal: surfaces ofs.-..-.the:-;-half;.=b'allymembers .to. clamp. the latter and:isaid:asupportingzmeans; in assembled relationship a; on said;panel.

6.-iIn .an'xantenna:.mounting a-ball base::cm- 1: --prising:cooperatingehalfe ball a members :adapted .0 be positioned-a on:the-.opposite :sides. of a panel 10. .inzcperative association-zwithtanopening therein land with;-their :outerrsemi-spherical.- surfaces,-;;located -awayafromwsaid ipanel,v said .half .ball gtmembers beingprovided with .fiat: annular. sur- 3 faces adapted-do be :;juxtaposed:with. respect to the; Oppositesides' of; said panel adjacent said.zgopeningyandalso provided radially inwardly ofsaid-annular.surfaceswwithsubstantially. semi- :zcircularaxiallyextendingfllips adapted toibe losrcated inrsaid. opening. and.substantiallyconcentrio. tov audiarneterf of .the.-ball:=base, the saidlip of ashalf ball member overlapping: and cooperating with-thesaid-glip of the other half ball -.-..member-to define a=substantialcylinder adapted -tol-be located. in'saidpanel opening, said ball;:base-including-said cylinderbeing provided with1.1apassage:therethroughwhich increases in cross sectional areal-fromits longitudinal mid-point ..-,tok,its, opposite-ends and terminates atits opposite- .ends; in -.elongated slots formed in the outere-semie-spherical surfaces-of the .half ball mem- =,r-,bers,the-slots-rof-;said-.half \ball members being oppositely leccentricallydisposedwith respect to saidldiameten-of theiball-base; antennasupporting-imeans extending through said passage of ;L.-the.:-.b.alla:base and relatively .angularly r adjust- ..-.-able: therein-with.-respect to--said.-diameter of 1: thewbalLbase-and .within. theclimits.of said (slots, sand-means onlsaidsupporting meansand c0- .eoperatingrwith saidhalf ball members for clamp- 4 uting the .latter .in.assembled operativev relationship ontsaidpanelandfor maintaining saidsupparting:"meanswin. said ballbase in-relativ an- 1 gularl-y adjustedposition.

. An. .antennar'mounting as defined in claim -6, and wherein..eachhalfball member is :pro-

divided .With...-.an. ,internal. recess into. which: ex-

tendsthalipoftheothenhalf ball-memberwhen said .members.are:.cooperatively. positioned to mform. thewballbase. vTHEODORE-v R..EINKE.

....,J,ACK L.- STEWART.

,LEWIS. .H. .FINNEBURGH, JR.

REFERENCES. :CITED :ithezviollowing references are of-record in the.--.i-file:- ofuthiszipatent:

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